Square footage is a critical factor in real estate—it defines the size of your home, impacts its value, and influences buyer perceptions. However, a question often arises when measuring a house’s square footage: Are attached garages included in square footage?
Understanding Square Footage in Real Estate
Square footage is more than just a measurement of your home’s size—it’s a key determinant of its market value and usability. To fully grasp how garages fit into this, it’s essential first to understand how square footage is defined and calculated.
What Is Square Footage?
In real estate, square footage refers to the total area of a home, measured in square feet. It’s one of the most obvious ways to communicate a property’s size. However, not all parts of a home are counted equally when calculating square footage.
Real estate professionals often divide square footage into two main categories:
- Heated Living Area (Finished Area): This is the space within the home that is heated, cooled, and finished for daily living, such as bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms.
- Total Area: This includes both finished and unfinished areas, such as garages, unfinished basements, or storage spaces.
Why Is Square Footage Important?
- Home Valuation: Square footage directly affects how much a home is worth—generally, larger homes with more livable space command higher prices.
- Buyer Comparisons: Buyers often compare houses based on their size, so accurate square footage is essential for a fair comparison.
- Appraisals: Appraisers use square footage to assess property value, which impacts mortgages and taxes.
Methods Used to Measure Square Footage
Several methods are used to measure square footage. Still, the most common one follows the ANSI Z765 Standard, which defines specific guidelines for what is included or excluded in square footage calculations. This will play a significant role later when we discuss house garages.
What Does Square Footage Usually Include?
Not every corner of your home makes it into the square footage calculation. Let’s break down what is and is omitted.
Spaces That Are Typically Counted
The following areas are usually included in square footage measurements:
- Living Spaces: Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, and other spaces designed for year-round living.
- Finished Areas: Finished basements or attics that are heated and connected to the home’s HVAC system.
For an area to count, it must typically meet these criteria:
- Be fully enclosed.
- Feature finished flooring, walls, and ceilings.
- Be heated or cooled.
Spaces That Are Generally Excluded
Some parts of a home don’t count toward the official square footage, such as:
- Unfinished basements or attics.
- Patios, decks, and porches (even if covered).
- Detached structures like sheds or guest houses.
- Garages, which we’ll cover in detail next.
Are Attached Garages Included in Square Footage?
Now we come to the heart of the matter: Are attached garages included in square footage? Let’s break it down.
The Short Answer
No, attached garages are not typically included in a home’s square footage. This is because garages are considered unfinished spaces that are not part of the heated living area.
Real Estate Industry Standards
Organisations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provide guidelines for measuring square footage. According to ANSI standards:
- Square footage includes finished, heated, and livable spaces.
- Garages, whether attached or detached, are excluded because they are not designed for daily living.
Why Are Garages Excluded?
Garages are primarily used for storage or parking, not as living spaces. Even though they may be attached to the home and might share walls with living areas, they lack the key features (like heating, cooling, or finished interiors) required to qualify as livable square footage.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are some cases where a garage might count toward square footage:
- Converted Garages: If a garage is fully finished, insulated, and heated, and functions as a living space (e.g., a home office or bedroom), it may be included in square footage.
- Partially Finished Garages: In some cases, partially finished garages might add value, though they are still listed separately rather than in the main square footage.
Impact on Home Value and Buyer Perception
Garages may not directly contribute to a home’s square footage, but they still hold value in other ways. Let’s explore how.
How Does Garage Space Affect Home Value?
While garages are excluded from square footage, they can still add significant value to a property. Buyers often place a high premium on garage space for:
- Parking and storage.
- Protection of vehicles from the weather.
- Potential for future conversion or expansion.
Buyer Expectations and Misconceptions
There’s often confusion among buyers about whether garage space is included in square footage. Clear communication in real estate listings is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.
For instance:
- A home listed as “2,000 square feet” might exclude a 400-square-foot garage, even though the total usable area is technically larger.
- Buyers might feel misled if they expect the garage to be part of the listed square footage.
How to Measure and Report Garage Space Separately
If modern house garages aren’t part of the living area, how should they be measured and reported? Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Tips for Measuring Garage Space
- Use a tape measure or laser measuring device to determine the garage’s width and length.
- Multiply these dimensions to calculate the total square footage. For example, a 20×20 garage is 400 square feet.
Listing Garage Square Footage Separately
When listing a property, clearly distinguish garage space from the main square footage. Use phrases like:
- “2,000 square feet of living space + 400-square-foot garage.”
- “Attached two-car garage (400 square feet).”
Why It Matters
Accurate reporting enables buyers to understand the property’s layout and value accurately. It also ensures compliance with real estate standards and avoids potential disputes.
Case Studies and Examples
Let’s look at some real-world examples to see how garage space impacts property listings and pricing.
Home Feature Total Square Footage Garage Size Price
3-bedroom home with garage 1,800 400 $350,000
Home with finished garage 2,200 (includes garage) 400 finished $390,000
Home without garage 1,800 N/A $330,000
As seen in the table, homes with garages (finished or unfinished) often command higher prices, even if the garage isn’t included in the listed square footage.
Regional Differences and Local Building Codes
Square footage rules can vary depending on where you live. Here’s how to navigate regional differences:
Local Code Requirements
Some municipalities have specific rules about what can be included in square footage. For example:
- In colder climates ,house garages might be excluded even if they are insulated.
- In areas with high property taxes, exclusions lower tax burdens.
How to Check Local Regulations
To find out what applies in your area:
- Consult local real estate agents or appraisers.
- Refer to municipal building codes.
- Use resources like the ANSI guidelines.
Tips for Homeowners and Sellers
If you’re selling your home, here’s how to handle garage square footage:
- Be Transparent: Clearly state the garage size and whether it is included in the square footage.
- Highlight Features: Mention additional benefits like storage, insulation, or potential for conversion.
- Prepare the Garage: If you want to increase its appeal, consider finishing or upgrading the garage.
